Emphasizing both Barcelona and the Barrio Gotico (Gothic quarter) neighbourhood where it is located, the Kimpton Hotel Barcelona has been creating waves in the city since its opening.

The project, led by the Co-founder, Partner and Creative Director of EL EQUIPO CREATIVO, was a finalist at the Creative Spark hotel design competition at TOPHOTELWORLDTOUR Barcelona.

On the sidelines of the boutique hospitality networking event, Natali gave an exclusive interview to TOPHOTELNEWS sharing her highlights and challenges of the stunning hotel project.

Design philosophy behind Kimpton Hotel Barcelona

Natali: The design reflects the colors of Barcelona’s terracotta ceramics roofs, the bluish hues of the Mediterranean Sea and the busy pedestrian streets of the Gothic neighbourhood. The stone patios and secret gardens portray small oases in the city and became the main theme for the bar in the street level and the reception area in the first level. The restaurant is located on the 2nd level, and aims to make clients feel they’re going for dinner at a friend’s house.

Ceramics, in many different formats, shapes and patterns accompany us through the different areas of the project and are also artistically incorporated inside the rooms. The rooftop terrace is like a Mediterranean garden with views to the Gothic roofs and the sea, treated with a textured colorful vibe.

Personal highlights of the project

Natali: Kimpton Hotel Barcelona, I think, responds quite well to what the briefing of the client was. The Kimpton wanted a hotel that would talk about Barcelona lifestyle. And I think we really achieved that. We brought many references of the city to the project — not only of the city but also of the neighborhood where it is. The neighborhood is the Barrio Gotico, Gothic Quarter. It’s a very special place in the city, maybe the soul of the city. At the hotel, I think guests will really feel they are in Barcelona.

Biggest challenges in realising the project

Natali: I think design-wise, we had a strong concept, and we developed it really well. But of course the project has challenges because the space on the ground floor and first floor was not very big. We share parts of the building with other commercial spaces. So we really had to be smart and understand what we wanted to have in the ground level, where it’s more public.

So, for example, we decided to have the bar downstairs and the reception desk is not on the ground floor, but on the first floor. Another challenge was having the restaurant on the second floor of the building, which is not usual in a city like Barcelona. It was a challenge but also an opportunity to create a new concept for the design of the restaurant.

THOUGHTS ON TOPHOTELWORLDTOUR

Natali: Oh, it was great. I shared the stage with two other great projects. It was very interesting to see their concepts as well. I had the feeling that it was a very complete day. I had the chance to meet really interesting people and companies. I made many contacts. I think that was the point, and you [TOPHOTELPROJECTS] did it really well.

ABOUT N. CANAS DEL POZO

She received her degree in architecture from ETSAB, Barcelona. In 2007, she completed a Masters in Advanced Architectural Design at Columbia University in New York, where she received the maximum honor: the William Ware Prize for Excellence in Design.

In 2010, she co-founded EL EQUIPO CREATIVO, an interior design and architecture studio based in Barcelona, specialized in the design of gastronomic, commercial and hospitality spaces. EL EQUIPO CREATIVO has worked for some of the most prestigious chefs in the world, like Ferran Adrià, and the spaces they have designed include 4 Michelin-star restaurants.

Their projects have been recognized in more than 30 international design awards. In 2017, the American Architecture Prize selected them as “Small Firm of the Year” and Frame Magazine featured them as one of the 20 most influential designers in the world.

Natali is the Director of the Masters in Interior Design program offered by the IED European Institute of Design in Barcelona.

Creative Spark is a hotel design competition between three architects/interior designers, which is judged by delegates at TOPHOTELWORLDTOUR conferences. Shortlisted finalists present their innovative projects, and further discuss their work as part of a stimulating panel discussion.

For information on how to enter Creative Spark, get in touch with TOPHOTELPROJECTS Head of Global Events & Conferences Kayley van der Velde.